Rancheros visitadores
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Why don't we use the themes of fellowship, a lovely country and a lovely time of the year down in Santa Barbara County, but make the horse the central motif of it?"[1]
The Rancheros Visitadores or the "Visiting Ranchers" is a social club for the elite in the United States. It has members from across the United States, with most originating from the central and western United States. The group meets on ranch land in Santa Barbara and embarks northward on a 60-mile (97 km) journey across the countryside after receiving a blessing at the Santa Ynez Mission. During their journey there are elaborate ceremonies and games that takes place over the course of a week.
The group was founded by John Mitchell, son of a well-to-do Chicago bank president, Naval Aviation Serviceman in World War I and husband to Lolita Armour of the meat-packing industry. Mitchell was a member of the exclusive Chicago club but also the Bohemian Club. It was after returning from a two-week Bohemian Club encampment that he discussed with some friends about forming their own version. This led to the creation of the Rancheros and began with the first full ride in May of 1930.
Apparently, the idea was based on a little bit of history. Ranchers until the 1860's would drive cattle to nearby Missions, where they would meet other driving groups, move to the next Mission, until all the cattle were brought to market. On their return home the ranchers would have a hellacious and care-free ride back to their homes. This was the part the Rancheros focused on for their journeys.
Mitchell's ranch, christened Rancho Juan y Lolita, is a central point for the group.
Participants are supposed to and encouraged to wear 'authentic' cowboy fashion. Members are broken up into camps, such as Los Amigos, Los Tontos, Los Vigilantes, Los Flojos and Los Borrachos. Former United States President Ronald Reagan and former California Supreme Court Justice William P. Clark belonged to Campo Adolfo. Los Gringos, Los Borrachos, and Los Chingadores are camps with many participants that are also members in the Bohemian Club. Camp Maverick is for newcomers, and as imagined, there is relentless hazing. The newcomers of Camp Maverick are encouraged to fight back.
Contents |
[edit] Roundup Riders of the Rockies
"How better can we advertise the tourist attractions of Colorado than by organizing a horseback ride through the forest near tourist centers" - Joe Dekker, from Tally Book 1971. Roundup Riders of the Rockies p.98
The 3R as they call themselves was started by land developer Joe Dekker and businessman Frank Ricketson Jr. They came up with the idea while on their return flight to Denver from the 1948 Rancheros Visitadores ride. Each year in imitation of the Rancheros, the group embarks on an approximately 120-mile (190 km) ride with the exact track changing each year to emphasize different sections of Colorado and increase tourism. The group also sponsors parades, TV Shows, and Rodeos throughout the state. Once out on the open ride, hijinx ensue. Their camps are transported by a group of 20 camp hands who set it up ahead of the riders, including amenities like portable toilets, showers and diesel generators. Caterers provide banquet style breakfasts and dinners and helicopters airdrop lunches while on the ride. The group also has a ten piece band that plays a variety of music each night and that has authored songs specially for the group, such as "Rick, our King" (referring to Ricketson) or "Come Ride with the Roundup Riders".
The 3R is smaller than the Bohemian Club or the Rancheros and their ride occurs at the same time as the Bohemian Club encampment. Their membership is limited to 130 people making it much smaller than the Rancheros or Bohemian Club.
[edit] Other Riders
The Rancheros inspired other regional rides, such as the Desert Caballeros and Verde Vaqueros in Arizona. These groups are not thought to have many connections to the Bohemian Club or even as some have remarked, be aware that they ultimately stemmed from them.
[edit] References
- ^ John Mitchell in Neill C Wilson. 1955. Los Rancheros Visitadores: Twenty-Fifth Anniversary. Rancheros Visitadores. pp.17-8
